Ben Shelton, a rising tennis player from the United States, has admitted that while he enjoys rallying the audience behind him, he does not intend to emulate Nick Kyrgios or Gael Monfils in terms of showmanship. Shelton, who is competing in the Indian Wells Masters, also claimed that despite having different on-court personalities from 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, he has always admired the Spaniard.
The 20-year-old claimed that he was committed to improving his skill and competing at the top level rather than being a “showy guy” who does trick shots.
Shelton told Europsport: “Nick Kyrgios or Gael Monfils are not references for me in this respect. I don’t think I am trying to be a showman. I’m just trying to compete at the highest level, whatever that may be. I’m not out there to try to be this ‘showy guy’ who is doing trick shots.”
Shelton in Indian Wells, ranking, and results in 2023
Now ranked no.41 (career-high), the American has achieved an overall 6-5 win-loss record in 2023. The American is now competing in Indian Wells where he managed to beat the world no.88 Fabio Fognini 6-4 6-1.
Ben Shelton will face the world no.5 Taylor Fritz in the 2nd round on Saturday at 3:00 pm on STADIUM 1. In the past, they have never competed against each other until now in top tournaments.
Shelton is scheduled to play next in Miami (Miami Open). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 22nd of March.
Rafael Nadal in 2023
Now ranked no.9, the Spaniard played his last match on the 18th of January when he capitulated to world no.53 Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (draw).
During this season the Spaniard owns an overall 1-3 match record.
Nadal has scheduled to play next in Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters (Monte–Carlo). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 10th of April.
Ben Shelton and Rafael Nadal have never played each other.
Nick Kyrgios in 2023
Now the world no.22, Kyrgios played his last match on the 6th of October 2022 when he overcame world no.138 Kamil Majchrzak 3-6 6-2 6-2 in the 2nd round in Tokyo (draw).
Currently, during this season the Australian has a 37-10 match record.
Gael Monfils in 2023
Now ranked no.210, the French player played his last match on the 8th of March when he was defeated by world no.87 Jordan Thompson 6-3 6-1 in the 1st round in Indian Wells (draw).
This season Gael has a 0-1 record.
Nick Kyrgios and Gael Monfils played each other twice. The head to head is 1-1. Before, the last time they played, Nick Kyrgios won 6-4 6-4 in the semifinal in Tokyo (Rakuten Japan Open) in October 2016.
